Varenicline and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Chantix worked fantastically. I smoked for 30 years and was up to 4 packs a day. I was having to use my inhaler so much, I just knew I had to quit. So, once I started the drug, I just kept smoking till I couldn't anymore. (about 3 months in decreasing amounts) Now I've been done smoking almost 2 years and have zero desire to smoke. Chantix, after about a month, made me really sick to my stomach. My doctor said I need to quit taking it. I said no way, it's working. So I did suffer for a bit with that, but like I said, I no longer smoke. I'm extremely happy with how it all worked out for me and wish anyone else who is quitting the best of luck. PS: So thankful my insurance covered the cost. That was fabulous."

• TRA...
• May 1, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "I started Chantix on 4-17-2014, and since 4-27-14, I have not smoked a cigarette in 5 whole days! Not even a drag. I feel like I have no desire to smoke, but there are times when I do crave one and think to myself, I went this long without one or a drag, so why ruin it? Then I forget about it. I do miss smoking, but it's better for the long run. I am about to turn 27 and have been smoking for 15 years. I did experience some constipation and a few times felt nauseous, but as long as you eat before and definitely drink as much water as you can. I was hesitant about taking this medication because of the side effects, especially the dreams. I have not had any terrible dreams, I have been dreaming more, but I enjoy them, they are very vivid. I recommend Chantix."

• Cur...
• December 23, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Day one: it made smoking feel like inhaling hot air. Nothing more. No rush. No nothing. Perfect. I felt a little nauseated with the medication. If I got a craving for nicotine (rather rare), I would chew a piece of nicotine gum. This medication was very effective for me."

• Kee...
• April 22, 2014

For Smoking Cessation "I smoked for 28 years and I have a very addictive personality. I thought I'd never be able to quit smoking. It took me longer than what is suggested in the info pack for Champix, but now I am smoke-free! It is truly a miracle. I have suffered with many of the side effects ranging from vivid dreams, nausea, increased frequency of migraine headaches, acne, eczema, dry skin, tiredness, increased anxiety, and significant weight gain. However, everything that I've had to go through as far as side effects have been worth it to say I'm smoke-free and I know it will improve as I go back off of the medication. Good luck to anyone reading this who is still trying to quit. You can do it!!"

• Chu...
• September 7, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I started Champix just over 8 weeks ago (been on them before but ended up back smoking as I stopped taking them too early!) I smoked 20 a day for 10+ years. By day 8, I had no craving at all and haven’t smoked since. These tablets really do work, but obviously do come with certain side effects?! I have found it’s an absolute definite to take them just after eating (at least 2 pieces of toast or so for AM and a proper meal for PM.) The nausea is horrific if you take them on an empty stomach, as I found on my first attempt with Champix. I have also been suffering with really bizarre nightmares/dreams? Quite cranky and easily irritated - suppose it’s expected though? This time around, I have struggled getting out of bed in the morning, but I don't struggle going to sleep - if anything, I could sleep longer (normally have a good 8-9 hours a night??) Feel a bit flat some days and no motivation or energy. Definitely think they are worth a go though - Good luck!!!!"

• Lew...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "I was a pretty heavy smoker-about a pack a day (even on days I can't smoke at work, which just meant I'd chain smoke when I left to catch up!) and I always made excuses to go have a smoke. I also made many excuses not to quit. I finally decided that I wanted to stop, and I couldn't believe how well the Chantix worked for me. I had tried the nicotine patch, Wellbutrin, cold turkey... Chantix was kind of my last resort. The only side effect I noticed was a couple of minutes of nausea right after I took the pill, but it wasn't enough to make me stop. I quit smoking on day 5. I quit before my quit date. I'm planning to take the full 6 months, but I'm on week 6 and feel fantastic! I highly recommend Chantix to anyone who has struggled to quit!"

• JRa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I'm on Champix for the past twelve days. The first week of taking medication was an extremely horrible experience. I was nauseous most of the time, especially after taking the medication and then still smoking, but I knew that if I was to really quit, that this was my last and only chance. The medication slowly makes smoking less enjoyable and takes away the cravings a bit at a time and also makes you resent that nauseous feeling when smoking (I guess that's part of how it works on the mind). I have been smoke-free now for four days. The extreme cravings have come up but go away as quickly as they came. I am on the 1 mg dose in the morning and evening, I have felt nauseous this morning but not as bad as the first week, thankfully. I would highly recommend that you give this a try with the consultation of your doctor... it really seems to be working. All the best :)"

• Mar...
• May 9, 2021

For Smoking Cessation "30 years of smoking 20-30 a day. My personal experience of strange “side effects” appeared to be as follows: only taking on a very full stomach, nausea. A strange body odor like French Onion Soup. Labyrinthitis towards the end of my course. But most bizarrely, my usual extreme social anxiety and fear of telephoning and speaking to people completely changed, I felt euphoric and completely in control for the first time in my life. I booked a week in another country for myself and some family members: accommodation, train, and ferry tickets-the lot! Phoned around Dublin to find a specific doctor's surgery to get help for a family member who lives there. None of these things would ever have been possible before or have been since. I have only heard bad reviews of this and just thought I would give my account, as this has been a complete success for me. It is May 2021, and I haven't had any tobacco products since the 21st of January 2017."

• 1TD...
• May 24, 2016

For Smoking Cessation "First off, everybody will not experience the same side effects from using Chantix. As for me, I'm glad I decided to take it. I noticed the medication started working about day 8. Cigarettes made me slightly nauseated. They slowly became less satisfying and desirable. The urges by then to smoke were minimal, and withdrawals were none from the start. I did have some nausea in the beginning after taking the pill that went away after a few minutes. Other than that, no noticeable side effects. I'm just now starting week 4. The urge to smoke now is completely gone. I don't feel like I ever want to smoke again."

• Reg...
• August 26, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Guys, I was on this forum a few days back when I was desperate for answers. I loved reading everyone's varied stories about Champix and their experiences. I will try to make this as short as possible. I quit smoking 30 cigs a day 5/6 years ago but felt comfortable staying on the nicotine gum 2mg as a substitute. The thing is, I was going through 500+ a month. Ok, so I'm now taking Champix to get off the nicotine gum. Trust me, the first few days I felt anxious as anything and was chewing on the nicotine gum like a cow chewing the cud. I went through them even more quickly in a week than usual. Vivid dreams and nausea on and off. By day 7, my stomach was bloated like a balloon. Day 8, I was now on 1mg in the morning and 1mg in the evening, feeling ok. Day 9, sweet Lord, the tiredness. I felt so flat. I went to the doctor for a review, he said it would pass, and it did. I've now finished day 13 and feeling almost back to myself. Every now and then, I chew regular sugar-free gum because that in itself was another habit."

• Pol...
• June 10, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "I highly recommend this drug. I was a smoker for 24 years. When I think about it, I am disgusted with myself. Well, men and women, I am no longer a smoker, thanks to this incredible drug. On my week 2, I had slight nausea, headache. Week 3, incredible, did not feel like smoking. It's like this drug erased the memory in my brain that I ever smoked. Week 4, well, the thought of cigarettes makes me queasy. I forgot what it was like to feel the way I feel today. Healthier."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I'm on day 7 on Champix and feel fine. I eat with every tablet, drink a big glass of water, and I've had no nausea. I can feel the cravings subsiding, I'm not enjoying smoking as much and have already cut back to about 3 per day. I had nightmares the first night, but that has eased, and I just have vivid dreams that aren't frightening. Other than that, I'm waking up earlier than usual and not experiencing any more fatigue than I usually would. So far, so good! The dosage gets upped tomorrow into week 2, so we will see how that goes!"

• Bud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "So I started taking Champix in early March, smoking a minimum of 12-15 cigarettes per day. Almost immediately, it started to reduce the amount I smoked. Within a couple of weeks, I was down to 4-6 cigarettes a day. A few weeks later, I was down to 2-3 a day and could not stand to smoke the whole thing. By week 6, I didn’t really need it anymore, I had no cravings. The only side effect was nausea, which went away completely after no longer ingesting nicotine."

• SNA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "Smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 20 years. At the end of week 4 on Champix. Still have a slight craving for cigarettes, but can deal with it. Side effects included slight nausea soon after taking the pill in the morning, accompanied by a light headache occasionally, but not at night. Struggled to sleep in the beginning, but now I sleep well now (maybe too well). It is definitely worth a try and worked so far where everything else I have tried failed."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "Quit day was yesterday. Day 16 on Champix. Side effects of nausea and vivid dreams have been a struggle, but weighed up with how I have sailed the last 2 days, it's worth it. With willpower mixed and support of my physician, I recommend Champix if you truly want to stop. Early days, but 35 years of 20 a day, I knew my addiction had to be helped."

• Sun...
• July 12, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "It works, it really works... but I have felt absolutely horrific, but probably not as horrific as I would if I continued smoking... As a scientist, I knew the side effects could be bad, given that the medicine involves chemical neurotransmitters which some people, like myself-admittedly a sensitive soul-don't like very much. But it is worth it to me. It works; I woke up one morning and just didn't want to smoke anymore, the joy was removed. I felt great and empowered until the medicine built up in my system, then I began to feel dizzy, nauseous, would vomit if I took it on an empty stomach, and completely exhausted. But then the side effects of nicotine withdrawal in itself left me feeling a bit down in the dumps. I had another health issue simultaneously which made me feel a bit downer in the dumps, and Champix on top of that-I was a bit of a zombie. I don't advise buying from an online doctor, as this medicine really needs close monitoring; it is very strong."

• Adu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "I started Chantix a couple of weeks ago. I am an odd case as I had not smoked my entire adult life until about 3 years ago. What started as a light habit turned into 1+ packs a day. I tried to quit using books, cessation programs, patches/lozenges/gum, even vaping, and no bueno. If anything, it got worse. I have surgery in Feb and have to be nicotine-free, so I decided to start Chantix. I will be honest--I don't think some people know that this can take some people weeks to work. You can still smoke just as much even after starting. I'm now in my 3rd week and only now have cigarettes started to taste repulsive at times. I light one out of habit and gotta come back to it later. I finally feel like it's working. I have no major side effects, but I do get a little nausea at my night dose for about 10-20 mins, and I dream every time I dream - super vivid and insanely weird. I'm only giving it a 9 because I have not officially quit yet, so I don't have a 100% 10 rating right now."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 28, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "I started taking Champix 2 weeks ago. I'm 62, been smoking since I was 13 years old, the last 10 years trying everything from the patches, nicotine gum, vaping-nothing works. After 7 days with Champix, I stopped because I became nauseated with the cigarette. I can say it's been 7 days without nicotine in my body. I'm so proud, and with Champix, it makes it a lot easier. Side effect: a bit of an upset stomach, maybe for 15 minutes after I take Champix after a meal, and I dream more, but so far that's it. I'm a happy girl not to be smoking anymore."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I am on day 9 and suffering terrible nausea and a severe headache that will not go away. Having to lie down and sleep due to tiredness and the headache. Not sure if I can continue with Champix. When will these side effects stop? I can't function daily."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2017

For Smoking Cessation "Thank you so much for Chantix! I have bullous emphysema. My doctor suggested Chantix, so I figured I would give it a try. It took a couple of tries before I finally was able to quit. The fact that you continue to smoke for the first week of taking the medication makes it easier. The Chantix is building up in your system while you are starting to notice the cigarettes that you are really not craving but smoking more out of habit. It made me nauseous, but not enough to stop taking it. February 10 of this year (2017) was 3 years since I quit smoking! One warning: DO NOT STOP TAKING IT SUDDENLY. It caused MAJOR depression. You have to come off of it gradually. Would I do it again, though? You bet your butt, I would."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2019

For Smoking Cessation "I read all these comments before I started taking Champix. I was a little nervous about the side effects. I'm on day 6, and really only side effects are a little nauseous, but only slightly. I dream loads, so not sure that has changed, but remembering all my dreams and seem to dream all night. No bad dreams at all, a little difficulty sleeping when I went to the two 0.5 mg tablets, but I can cope with that. I smoke about 4 cigs a day now, and that's forcing myself, I don't want them. My mouth tastes horrid after, and it's like smoking a twig! Get nothing from it at all. I think my quit date will be sooner than I set, as I can't see me wanting to even light a cig up in a few days."

• Mr ...
• November 17, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "I was initially a bit nervous taking Champix, as I suffer from depression, and having read up on it, I became aware that it could possibly re-trigger depressive symptoms (so far, it hasn't done). Having smoked for 36 years, I thought it was about time I kicked the habit once and for all. I haven't been a heavy smoker for quite some time (around 5 a day), but just couldn't kick it, mainly due to social triggers. It's day 10 now, and I haven't had one for 3 days. The cravings have completely stopped, and the thought of having one is quite repelling. Side effect-wise, I am getting a tiny bit of nausea, my glands are a little bit swollen, I feel a little bit under the weather. It's all manageable though, and nothing to really complain about. I thoroughly recommend it, as this has been the only thing that has worked for me."

• S L...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2020

For Smoking Cessation "I haven't had a cigarette in 43 days, and I was still a pack-a-day smoker right up to my quit date. Just make sure you pick a day to stop and stick to it. The side effects I've had are 15 minutes of nausea after taking and the vivid dreams, but I've personally had no noticeable personality changes."

• Lou...
• July 26, 2009

For Smoking Cessation "I was not expecting Champix to work as efficiently, but I am surprised by how effective it is. I'm on my eighth week of taking Champix, and my fourth week of total quitting. I smoked as normal for the first two weeks, stopped smoking through the day, then got down to one or two smokes a day before quitting completely. It just seemed effortless. The side effects have been interesting. My dreams have been very vivid but not disturbing. The nausea has been easy to manage by eating something like yogurt before taking, and constipation remedies are easy to find. I would recommend it to anyone, and indeed do."

• ano...
• August 31, 2015

For Smoking Cessation "UPDATE: Today marks 90 days I've been smoke-free!!! And around a month now I've been off Chantix completely. No desire to smoke. Food tastes amazing! I can BREATHE. I haven't gained any weight, but I've joined the gym and started lifting. I feel GREAT. Wouldn't have been possible without Chantix. I weaned myself off of Chantix the last few weeks... made me apprehensive just stopping it cold turkey. Chantix gave me some weird dreams, nausea... nothing too serious. Much better than COPD, emphysema, lung cancer, DEATH from continuing to smoke. If I can quit, YOU can quit. Chantix saved my life. (31 y/o... been a smoker since age 13! Pack and a half a day when I decided to quit.)"